diff --git a/src/python/jw/pkg/lib/ec/SSHClient.py b/src/python/jw/pkg/lib/ec/SSHClient.py
index aea5b63b..b5ffae05 100644
--- a/src/python/jw/pkg/lib/ec/SSHClient.py
+++ b/src/python/jw/pkg/lib/ec/SSHClient.py
@@ -130,9 +130,15 @@ class SSHClient(ExecContext):
     def username(self) -> str:
         return self.__username
 
-def ssh_client(*args, type=['AsyncSSH', 'Paramiko', 'Exec'], **kwargs) -> SSHClient: # export
+def ssh_client(*args, type: str|list[str]|None=None, **kwargs) -> SSHClient: # export
     from importlib import import_module
     errors: list[str] = []
+    if type is None:
+        val = os.getenv('JW_DEFAULT_SSH_CLIENT')
+        if val is not None:
+            type = val.split(',')
+        else:
+            type = ['AsyncSSH', 'Paramiko', 'Exec']
     if isinstance(type, str):
         type = [type]
     for name in type: